Electronic device and method for fabricating the same

ABSTRACT

Provided is an electronic device including a semiconductor memory. The semiconductor memory may include: an under layer including first and second metal layers and a barrier layer having a dual phase structure of different crystal structures and interposed between the first and second metal layers; a first magnetic layer positioned over the under layer and having a variable magnetization direction; a tunnel barrier layer positioned over the first magnetic layer; and a second magnetic layer positioned over the tunnel barrier layer and having a pinned magnetization direction, and the under layer may further include a barrier layer having a dual phase structure between the first and second metal layers.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This patent document claims priority and benefits of Korean PatentApplication No. 10-2014-0182542, entitled “ELECTRONIC DEVICE AND METHODFOR FABRICATING THE SAME” and filed on Dec. 17, 2014, which isincorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This patent document relates to memory circuits or devices and theirapplications in electronic devices or systems.

BACKGROUND

Recently, as electronic appliances trend toward miniaturization, lowpower consumption, high performance, multi-functionality, and so on,semiconductor devices capable of storing information in variouselectronic appliances such as a computer, a portable communicationdevice, and so on have been demanded in the art, and research has beenconducted for the semiconductor devices. Such semiconductor devicesinclude semiconductor devices which can store data using acharacteristic that they are switched between different resistant statesaccording to an applied voltage or current, for example, an RRAM(resistive random access memory), a PRAM (phase change random accessmemory), an FRAM (ferroelectric random access memory), an MRAM (magneticrandom access memory), an E-fuse, etc.

SUMMARY

The disclosed technology in this patent document includes memorycircuits or devices and their applications in electronic devices orsystems and various implementations of an electronic device whichincludes a semiconductor memory capable of improving the characteristicof a variable resistance element.

In an implementation, there is provided an electronic device including asemiconductor memory. The semiconductor memory may include: an underlayer comprising first and second metal layers and a barrier layerhaving a dual phase structure of different crystal structures andinterposed between the first and second metal layers; a first magneticlayer positioned over the under layer and having a variablemagnetization direction; a tunnel barrier layer positioned over thefirst magnetic layer; and a second magnetic layer positioned over thetunnel barrier layer and having a pinned magnetization direction.

In some implementations, the barrier layer includes a first materialhaving an FCC (Face Centered Cubic) structure and a second materialhaving a wurtzite structure. In some implementations, the barrier layerincludes an alloy of the first and second materials. In someimplementations, the first material comprises HfN, TiN, MoN, ZrN, orMgO. In some implementations, the second material comprises AlN, AgI,ZnO, CdS, CdSe, a-SiC, GaN, or BN. In some implementations, the firstmetal layer has an HCP (Hexagonal Closed Packed) structure or a crystalstructure of NaCl. In some implementations, the second metal layercomprises a metal nitride layer including a light metal. In someimplementations, the first metal layer is positioned under the secondmetal layer. In some implementations, the first metal layer includes Hf,Zr, Mg, Ru, or Os. In some implementations, the first metal layerincludes ZrN, HfN, or TiN. In some implementations, the second metallayer comprises Al or Ti. In some implementations, the semiconductormemory further comprises a magnetism correction layer formed over thesecond magnetic layer and configured to produce a magnetic field at thefirst magnetic layer to reduce an influence of a magnetic field of thesecond magnetic layer at the first magnetic layer.

In some implementations, the electronic device may further include amicroprocessor which includes: a control unit configured to receive asignal including a command from an outside of the microprocessor, andperforms extracting, decoding of the command, or controlling input oroutput of a signal of the microprocessor; an operation unit configuredto perform an operation based on a result that the control unit decodesthe command; and a memory unit configured to store data for performingthe operation, data corresponding to a result of performing theoperation, or an address of data for which the operation is performed,wherein the semiconductor memory unit that includes the resistancevariable element is part of the memory unit in the microprocessor.

In some implementations, the electronic device may further include aprocessor which includes: a core unit configured to perform, based on acommand inputted from an outside of the processor, an operationcorresponding to the command, by using data; a cache memory unitconfigured to store data for performing the operation, datacorresponding to a result of performing the operation, or an address ofdata for which the operation is performed; and a bus interface connectedbetween the core unit and the cache memory unit, and configured totransmit data between the core unit and the cache memory unit, whereinthe semiconductor memory unit that includes the resistance variableelement is part of the cache memory unit in the processor.

In some implementations, the electronic device may further include aprocessing system which includes: a processor configured to decode acommand received by the processor and control an operation forinformation based on a result of decoding the command; an auxiliarymemory device configured to store a program for decoding the command andthe information; a main memory device configured to call and store theprogram and the information from the auxiliary memory device such thatthe processor can perform the operation using the program and theinformation when executing the program; and an interface deviceconfigured to perform communication between at least one of theprocessor, the auxiliary memory device and the main memory device andthe outside, wherein the semiconductor memory unit that includes theresistance variable element is part of the auxiliary memory device orthe main memory device in the processing system.

In some implementations, the electronic device may further include adata storage system which includes: a storage device configured to storedata and conserve stored data regardless of power supply; a controllerconfigured to control input and output of data to and from the storagedevice according to a command inputted form an outside; a temporarystorage device configured to temporarily store data exchanged betweenthe storage device and the outside; and an interface configured toperform communication between at least one of the storage device, thecontroller and the temporary storage device and the outside, wherein thesemiconductor memory unit that includes the resistance variable elementis part of the storage device or the temporary storage device in thedata storage system.

In some implementations, the electronic device may further include amemory system which includes: a memory configured to store data andconserve stored data regardless of power supply; a memory controllerconfigured to control input and output of data to and from the memoryaccording to a command inputted form an outside; a buffer memoryconfigured to buffer data exchanged between the memory and the outside;and an interface configured to perform communication between at leastone of the memory, the memory controller and the buffer memory and theoutside, wherein the semiconductor memory unit that includes theresistance variable element is part of the memory or the buffer memoryin the memory system.

In another aspect, an electronic device is provided to comprise aplurality of semiconductor memory unit cells, wherein each semiconductormemory unit cell comprises: an under layer including a barrier layerhaving different materials having different crystal structures; and avariable resistance element formed over the under layer and operable tobe switched between different resistance states to store data, whereinthe variable resistance element has a normalized perpendicularanisotropy field (Hk) value which remains almost constant with a changeof temperature around the variable resistance element.

In some implementations, the barrier layer includes a first materialhaving an FCC structure and a second material having a wurtzitestructure. In some implementations, the electronic device furthercomprises a magnetism correction layer formed over the variableresistance element to offset the influence of a stray field generated bythe variable resistance element on a performance of the variableresistance element.

In another implementation, a method of fabricating an electronic deviceincluding a semiconductor memory, comprising: forming an under layerover a substrate to include a first metal layer and a second metal layerformed over the first metal layer, and a barrier layer between the firstand the second metal layers to have a dual phase structure thatstabilizes the crystal orientation of the second metal layer; forming afirst magnetic layer over the under layer to have a variablemagnetization direction; forming a tunnel barrier layer over the firstmagnetic layer; forming a second magnetic layer over the tunnel barrierlayer to have a pinned magnetization direction; and patterning thesecond magnetic layer, the tunnel barrier layer, the first magneticlayer, and the under layer to form a multilayer stack as a memory unitcell to store data.

In some implementations, the forming of the barrier layer includes usinga first material having an FCC structure and a second material having awurtzite structure to form the barrier layer. In some implementations,the forming of the barrier layer includes alloying the first materialwith the second material or co-sputtering the first material and thesecond material. In some implementations, the first material includesHfN, TiN, MoN, ZrN, or MgO. In some implementations, the second materialincludes AlN, AgI, ZnO, CdS, CdSe, a-SiC, GaN, or BN. In someimplementations, the first metal layer has an HCP structure or a crystalstructure of NaCl. In some implementations, the second metal layercomprises a metal nitride layer including a light metal.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of an exemplary variable resistanceelement in accordance with an implementation.

FIG. 2 is a graph illustrating the characteristics of a variableresistance element in accordance with a comparative example and thevariable resistance element in accordance with one implementation of thedisclosed technology.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of an exemplary electronic device inaccordance with an implementation.

FIGS. 4A through 4E are cross-sectional views illustrating an example ofa method for fabricating an electronic device in accordance with animplementation.

FIG. 5 is an example of configuration diagram of a microprocessorimplementing memory circuitry based on the disclosed technology.

FIG. 6 is an example of configuration diagram of a processorimplementing memory circuitry based on the disclosed technology.

FIG. 7 is an example of configuration diagram of a system implementingmemory circuitry based on the disclosed technology.

FIG. 8 is an example of configuration diagram of a data storage systemimplementing memory circuitry based on the disclosed technology.

FIG. 9 is an example of configuration diagram of a memory systemimplementing memory circuitry based on the disclosed technology.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Various examples and implementations of the disclosed technology aredescribed below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

The drawings may not be necessarily to scale and in some instances,proportions of at least some of structures in the drawings may have beenexaggerated in order to clearly illustrate certain features of thedescribed examples or implementations. In presenting a specific examplein a drawing or description having two or more layers in a multi-layerstructure, the relative positioning relationship of such layers or thesequence of arranging the layers as shown reflects a particularimplementation for the described or illustrated example and a differentrelative positioning relationship or sequence of arranging the layersmay be possible. In addition, a described or illustrated example of amulti-layer structure may not reflect all layers present in thatparticular multilayer structure (e.g., one or more additional layers maybe present between two illustrated layers). As a specific example, whena first layer in a described or illustrated multi-layer structure isreferred to as being “on” or “over” a second layer or “on” or “over” asubstrate, the first layer may be directly formed on the second layer orthe substrate but may also represent a structure where one or more otherintermediate layers may exist between the first layer and the secondlayer or the substrate.

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a variable resistance element inaccordance with an implementation.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, the variable resistance element 100 mayinclude an MTJ (Magnetic Tunnel Junction) structure which includes afirst magnetic layer 105 having a variable magnetization direction whichcan change its magnetization direction in response to a bias such as anapplied voltage or current, a second magnetic layer 107 having a pinnedmagnetization direction that is fixed in its direction, and a tunnelbarrier layer 106 interposed between the first and second magneticlayers 105 and 107. Therefore, the variable resistance element 100exhibits different resistance states showing different resistance valuesacross the MTJ depending on the relative direction between themagnetization direction of the first magnetic layer 105 and the pinnedmagnetization direction of the second magnetic layer 107. The differentresistance states are used for storing data.

The first and second magnetic layers 105 and 107 may include aferromagnetic material. The ferromagnetic material may include an alloybased on Fe, Ni, or Co, for example, Fe—Pt alloy, Fe—Pd alloy, Co—Pdalloy, Co—Pt alloy, Fe—Ni—Pt alloy, or Co—Fe—Pt alloy.

The first and second magnetic layers 105 and 107 may have amagnetization direction perpendicular to the surfaces of the first andsecond magnetic layers 105 and 107. For example, as indicated by arrowsof FIG. 1, the magnetization direction of the first magnetic layer 105may be changed between the direction from top to bottom and thedirection from bottom to top, and the magnetization direction of thesecond magnetic layer 107 may be pinned to the direction from top tobottom. Other implementations are also possible regarding themagnetization directions of the first and second magnetic layers 105 and107.

The tunnel barrier layer 106 may include any insulating oxides, forexample, MgO, CaO, SrO, TiO, VO, or NbO. The tunnel barrier layer 106may change the magnetization direction of the first magnetic layer 105through electron tunneling.

The variable resistance element 100 may further include layers 104 and110 for improving the characteristic of the MTJ structure orfacilitating a fabrication process. For example, the variable resistanceelement 100 may further include an under layer 104 arranged under theMTJ structure and an upper layer 110 arranged over the MTJ structure.The upper layer 110 may include a magnetism correction layer 108 and/ora capping layer 109 positioned at the uppermost part of the variableresistance element 100.

In the present implementation, the under layer 104 may include a firstmetal layer 101, a second metal layer 103, and a barrier layer 102interposed between the first and second metal layers 101 and 103 andhaving a dual phase structure.

The first metal layer 101 may have an HCP (Hexagonal Closed Packed)structure or a crystal structure of sodium chloride (NaCl), thusimproving the crystal orientations of the barrier layer 102 and thesecond metal layer 103 which are positioned over the first metal layer101. The first metal layer 101 may include any metal layer having an HCPstructure, for example, Hf, Zr, Mg, Ru, or Os. Alternatively, the firstmetal layer 101 may include any nitride having a crystal structure ofNaCl, for example, zirconium nitride (ZrN), hafnium nitride (HfN), ortitanium nitride (TiN).

The second metal layer 103 may include a light metal, and serve toreduce an attenuation constant of the first magnetic layer 105positioned over the second metal layer 103. The light metal in the metallayer 103 may include Ti and/or a metal having a smaller specificgravity than Ti, for example, Al.

In the present implementation, the under layer 104 of the variableresistance element may include the barrier layer 102 having a dual phasestructure which includes two different crystal phases or crystalstructures. This dual phase structure further stabilizes the crystalorientation of the second metal layer 103 positioned over the barrierlayer 102, within the under layer 104. As a result, the barrier layer102 having such a dual phase structure may improve the thermal stabilityof the first magnetic layer 105 which interfaces with the under layer104 and is on top of the under layer 104. This improved thermalstability of the first magnetic layer can stabilize the magneticcharacteristic of the first magnetic layer 105.

As a specific example for the dual phase structure, the barrier layer102 may include a material layer in which a first material having afirst phase as an FCC (Face Centered Cubic) structure and a secondmaterial having a second phase as a wurtzite structure are mixed. As thebarrier layer 102 is formed of or includes an alloy of the first andsecond materials or formed through co-sputtering, the barrier layer 102may have a dual phase structure in which an FCC structure and a wurtzitestructure are mixed. The first material may include any materialincluding HfN, TiN, MoN, ZrN, or MgO, for example. The second materialmay include any material including AlN, AgI, ZnO, CdS, CdSe, a-SiC, GaN,or BN, for example.

The magnetism correction layer 108 in FIG. 1 is located above the pinnedmagnetic layer 107 of the variable resistance element and may serve tooffset the influence of a stray field generated by the second magneticlayer 107 at the magnetic layer 105 having a variable magnetizationdirection. In implementations, the magnetism correction layer 108 mayinclude an anti-ferromagnetic material or a ferromagnetic materialhaving a magnetization direction anti-parallel to the magnetizationdirection of the second magnetic layer 107. In this case, the influenceof the stray field of the second magnetic layer 107 having a pinnedmagnetization on the first magnetic layer 105 having a variablemagnetization may be offset to reduce a bias magnetic field in the firstmagnetic layer 105. In the present implementation, the magnetismcorrection layer 108 may be positioned over the MTJ structure. However,other implementations are also possible such that the position of themagnetism correction layer 108 may be modified in various manners.

The capping layer 109 may serve as a hard mask when the variableresistance element 100 is patterned, and include various conductivematerials such as metal. In particular, the capping layer 109 may beformed of or include a metal-based material which includes a smallnumber of pin holes and has great resistance to wet and/or dry etching.

Therefore, in the above structure in FIG. 1, the under layer 104 isdesigned to include the dual-phase barrier layer 102 to stabilize thecrystal structure of the metal layer 103 on the top part of the underlayer 104. This stabilized metal layer 103 interfaces with the variablemagnetic layer 105 of the variable resistance element, thus providing astabilization mechanism for the variable resistance element. Inaddition, in some implementations, FIG. 1 further illustrates acombination of two stabilization mechanisms to stabilize magneticproperties of the variable resistance element formed by the layers 107,106 and 105. The second stabilization mechanism is the magnetismcorrection layer 108 located above the pinned magnetic layer 107 of thevariable resistance element to reduce any undesired magnetic influenceof the pinned magnetic layer 107 to the variable magnetic layer 105.This combination of the two stabilization mechanisms is integrated inthe design in FIG. 1 so that the two mechanisms are used to collectivelyimprove the performance of the variable resistance element in FIG. 1.

FIG. 2 is a graph illustrating the characteristics of a variableresistance element in accordance with a comparative example and thevariable resistance element in accordance with one implementation of thedisclosed technology.

Referring to FIG. 2, the characteristics of the variable resistanceelements of the comparative example and the present implementation maybe compared to each other in accordance with a change of temperature. InFIG. 2, the horizontal axis may indicate the temperature, and thevertical axis may indicate a normalized Hk (perpendicular anisotropyfield) value. The variable resistance element in accordance with thecomparative example may indicate a general variable resistance elementwhich does not include a barrier layer having a dual phase structure.The variable resistance element in accordance with the presentimplementation may include the barrier layer having a dual phasestructure including, for example, a Hf—Al—N layer which is an alloy ofHfN and AlN.

Referring to the graph in FIG. 2, the Hk value of the variableresistance element in accordance with the comparative example rapidlydecreases as the temperature increases. In the variable resistanceelement in accordance with the present implementation, however, the Hkvalue does not change much and remains as almost constant. Base on FIG.2, the thermal stability of the variable resistance element of thepresent implementation, which includes the barrier layer having a dualphase structure, has been improved as compared to the variableresistance element of the comparative example. Thus, the barrier layerhaving a dual phase structure may stabilize the magnetic characteristicof the variable resistance element.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of an exemplary electronic device inaccordance with an implementation.

As illustrated in FIG. 3, the electronic device may include a substrate201, a first interlayer dielectric layer 202, a bottom electrode contact203, a variable resistance element 200, a second interlayer dielectriclayer 214, a top electrode contact 215, and a conductive line 216. Thesubstrate 201 may include a predetermined structure (not illustrated).The first interlayer dielectric layer 202 may be formed over thesubstrate 201. The bottom electrode contact 203 may be coupled to thesubstrate 201 through the first interlayer dielectric layer 202. Thevariable resistance element 200 may be formed over the bottom electrodecontact 203. The second interlayer dielectric layer 214 may be buriedbetween the variable resistance elements 200 or surround at least aportion of the variable resistance element 200. The top electrodecontact 215 may be formed in contact with the top of the variableresistance element 200. The conductive line 216 may be formed over thesecond interlayer dielectric layer 214 so as to be in contact with thetop electrode contact 215.

The predetermined structure included in the substrate 201 may include aswitching element for selecting a specific unit cell from a plurality ofunit cells included in a semiconductor device. The switching element mayinclude a transistor, or a diode and the like. One terminal of theswitching element may be electrically coupled to the bottom electrodecontact 203, and the other terminal of the switching element may beelectrically coupled to a source line (not illustrated) through a sourceline contact (not illustrated).

The first and second interlayer dielectric layers 202 and 214 mayinclude an insulating material. The first and second interlayerdielectric layers 202 and 214 may include a single layer includingoxide, nitride, or oxynitride or a stacked structure thereof.

The bottom electrode contact 203 may be positioned under the variableresistance element 200 and serve as a path for supplying a voltage orcurrent to the variable resistance element 200. The bottom electrodecontact 203 may include various conductive materials such as metal ormetal nitride.

The variable resistance element 200 may include the same structure asthe variable resistance element 100 illustrated in FIG. 1. For example,the variable resistance element 200 may include an MTJ structureincluding a first magnetic layer 208 having a variable magnetizationdirection, a second magnetic layer 210 having a pinned magnetizationdirection, and a tunnel barrier layer 209 interposed between the firstand second magnetic layers 208 and 210. Furthermore, the variableresistance element 200 may further include layers 207 and 213 forimproving the characteristic of the MTJ structure or facilitating thefabrication process.

The variable resistance element 200 may further include an under layer207 arranged under the MTJ structure and an upper layer 213 arrangedover the MTJ structure. The under layer 207 may include a first metallayer 204, a second metal layer 206, and a barrier layer 205 interposedbetween the first and second metal layers 204 and 206 and having a dualphase structure. The upper layer 213 may include a magnetism correctionlayer 211 and/or a capping layer 212 positioned at the uppermost part ofthe variable resistance element 200.

In the present implementation, the under layer 207 may be positionedover the first interlayer dielectric layer 202. However, otherimplementations are also possible. In another implementation, the underlayer 207 and the bottom electrode contact 203 may be buried or formedtogether in the first interlayer dielectric layer 202.

The top electrode contact 215 may serve to electrically couple theconductive line 216 and the variable resistance element 200, andsimultaneously serve as an electrode for the variable resistance element200. The top electrode contact 215 may be formed of or include the samematerial as the bottom electrode contact 203.

The conductive line 216 may include a metal layer. The metal layer mayindicate a conductive layer including a metal element, and include ametal, a metal oxide, a metal oxynitride, a metal silicide or the like.

FIGS. 4A to 4E are cross-sectional views illustrating an example of amethod for fabricating an electronic device in accordance with animplementation.

As illustrated in FIG. 4A, a first interlayer dielectric layer 12 may beformed over a substrate 11 including a predetermined structure. Thepredetermined structure may include a switching element and the like.The substrate 11 may include a semiconductor substrate or siliconsubstrate. The first interlayer dielectric layer 12 may include anysingle layer including oxide, nitride, or oxynitride or a stackedstructure thereof.

Then, a bottom electrode contact 13 may be formed in contact with thesubstrate 11 through the first interlayer dielectric layer 12. Thebottom electrode contact 13 may be formed through the following seriesof processes: a contact hole is formed to expose the substrate 11through the first interlayer dielectric layer 12, a conductive materialis formed on the surface (e.g., the entire surface of the resultantstructure so as to fill the contact hole, and the adjacent bottomelectrode contacts 13 are electrically isolated from one another. Theisolation process may be performed by etching or polishing theconductive material formed on the surface (e.g., the entire surfaceusing a blanket etch process (for example, etch-back process) or achemical-mechanical polishing process, until the first interlayerdielectric layer 12 is exposed.

As illustrated in FIG. 4B, a first metal layer 14A, a barrier layer 15Ahaving a dual phase structure, and a second metal layer 16A may besequentially formed over the first interlayer dielectric layer 12including the bottom electrode contact 13.

The first metal layer 14A may have an HCP structure or a crystalstructure of NaCl, and thus improve the crystal orientations of thebarrier layer 15A and the second metal layer 16A which are positionedover the first metal layer 14A. The first metal layer 14A may includeany metal layer having an HCP structure, for example, Hf, Zr, Mg, Ru, orOs. Alternatively, the first metal layer 14A may include any nitridehaving a crystal structure of NaCl, for example, ZrN, HfN, or TiN.

The second metal layer 16A may include a light metal, and serve toreduce an attenuation constant of a first magnetic layer to be formedthrough a subsequent process. The light metal may include Ti and/or ametal having a smaller specific gravity than Ti, for example, Al.

The barrier layer 15A having a dual phase structure may include amaterial layer in which a first material having an FCC structure and asecond material having a wurtzite structure are mixed, and furtherstabilize the crystal orientation of the second metal layer 16Apositioned over the barrier layer 15A. As a result, the barrier layer15A may increase the thermal stability of the first magnetic layer to beformed through a subsequent process, and stabilize the magneticcharacteristic of the first magnetic layer.

In some implementations, the barrier layer 15A may be formed of orinclude an alloy of the first and second materials or formed throughco-sputtering, and have a dual phase structure in which the FCCstructure and the wurtzite structure are mixed. The first material mayinclude any one material including HfN, TiN, MoN, ZrN, or MgO. Thesecond material may include any material including AlN, AgI, ZnO, CdS,CdSe, a-SiC, GaN, or BN.

As illustrated in FIG. 4C, a first magnetic layer 17A, a tunnel barrierlayer 18A, a second magnetic layer 19A, a magnetism correction layer20A, and a capping layer 21A may be sequentially formed over the secondmetal layer 16A.

The first and second magnetic layers 17A and 19A may include aferromagnetic material. The ferromagnetic material may include an alloyincluding Fe, Ni, or Co, for example, Fe—Pt alloy, Fe—Pd alloy, Co—Pdalloy, Co—Pt alloy, Fe—Ni—Pt alloy, Co—Fe—Pt alloy, or Co—Ni—Pt alloy.The first and second magnetic layers 17A and 19A may have amagnetization direction perpendicular to the surface of the first andsecond magnetic layers 17A and 19A.

The tunnel barrier layer 18A may include any insulating oxides, forexample, MgO, CaO, SrO, TiO, VO, or NbO. The tunnel barrier layer 18Amay change the magnetization direction of the first magnetic layer 17Athrough electron tunneling.

The magnetism correction layer 20A may serve to offset the influence ofa stray field generated by the second magnetic layer 19A, and include ananti-ferromagnetic material or a ferromagnetic material having amagnetization direction anti-parallel to the magnetization direction ofthe second magnetic layer 19A. In this case, the influence of the strayfield of the second magnetic layer 19A on the first magnetic layer 17Amay be offset to reduce a bias magnetic field in the first magneticlayer 17A. In the present implementation, the magnetism correction layer20A may be positioned over the MTJ structure. However, otherimplementations are also possible, and the position of the magnetismcorrection layer 20A may be modified in various manners.

The capping layer 21A may serve as a hard mask when the variableresistance element 200 is patterned, and include various conductivematerials such as a metal. In particular, the capping layer 21A may beformed of or include a metal-based material which includes a smallnumber of pin holes and has great resistance to wet and/or dry etching.

As illustrated in FIG. 4D, the sequentially deposited layers may bepatterned to form a variable resistance element 300. The followingseries of processes may be performed to provide a desired structure: amask pattern is formed over the capping layer 21A (refer to FIG. 4C),the capping layer 21A is etched, and the under layers are sequentiallyetched using the capping layer as an etching barrier.

The variable resistance element 300 formed through the patterningprocess may have the same structure as the variable resistance element100 or 200 illustrated in FIG. 1 or 2.

As illustrated in FIG. 4E, a second interlayer dielectric layer 22 maybe formed over the first interlayer dielectric layer 12. The secondinterlayer dielectric layer 22 may be formed to a thickness to fill thespace between the variable resistance elements 300 or surround at leasta portion of the variable resistance element. For example, the secondinterlayer dielectric layer 22 may be formed to have a higher level thanthe top surface of the variable resistance element 300. The height ofthe second interlayer dielectric layer may be determined inconsideration of the height of a top electrode contact, which will beformed in a following process, to surround the top electrode contact.The second interlayer dielectric layer 22 may include any single layerincluding oxide, nitride, or oxynitride or a stacked structure thereof.

Then, a top electrode contact 23 may be formed to be coupled to thevariable resistance element 300 through the second interlayer dielectriclayer 22 over the variable resistance element 300. The top electrodecontact 23 may be formed by the following process: the second interlayerdielectric layer 22 is etched to form a contact hole exposing the top ofthe variable resistance element 300, and a conductive material is buriedin the contact hole. The top electrode contact 23 may serve toelectrically couple the variable resistance element 300 and a conductiveline 24 to be formed through a subsequence process, and simultaneouslyserve as an electrode for the variable resistance element 300. The topelectrode contact 23 may be formed of or include the same material asthe bottom electrode contact 13.

Then, the conductive line 24 may be formed over the second interlayerdielectric layer 22. The conductive line 24 may be electrically coupledto the variable resistance element 300 through the top electrode contact23. The conductive line 24 coupled to the variable resistance element300 may serve as a bit line. The conductive line 24 may include a metallayer. The metal layer may indicate a conductive layer including a metalelement, and include a metal, a metal oxide, a metal oxynitride, or ametal silicide and the like.

In accordance with various implementations of the disclosed technology,the electronic device and the method for fabricating the same canimprove the characteristic of the variable resistance element.

The above and other memory circuits or semiconductor devices based onthe disclosed technology can be used in a range of devices or systems.FIGS. 5-9 provide some examples of devices or systems that can implementthe memory circuits disclosed herein.

FIG. 5 is an example of configuration diagram of a microprocessorimplementing memory circuitry based on the disclosed technology.

Referring to FIG. 5, a microprocessor 1000 may perform tasks forcontrolling and tuning a series of processes of receiving data fromvarious external devices, processing the data, and outputting processingresults to external devices. The microprocessor 1000 may include amemory unit 1010, an operation unit 1020, a control unit 1030, and soon. The microprocessor 1000 may be various data processing units such asa central processing unit (CPU), a graphic processing unit (GPU), adigital signal processor (DSP) and an application processor (AP).

The memory unit 1010 is a part which stores data in the microprocessor1000, as a processor register, register or the like. The memory unit1010 may include a data register, an address register, a floating pointregister and so on. Besides, the memory unit 1010 may include variousregisters. The memory unit 1010 may perform the function of temporarilystoring data for which operations are to be performed by the operationunit 1020, result data of performing the operations and addresses wheredata for performing of the operations are stored.

The memory unit 1010 may include one or more of the above-describedsemiconductor devices in accordance with the implementations. Forexample, the memory unit 1010 may include an under layer including firstand second metal layers; a first magnetic layer positioned over theunder layer and having a variable magnetization direction; a tunnelbarrier layer positioned over the first magnetic layer; and a secondmagnetic layer positioned over the tunnel barrier layer and having apinned magnetization direction, and the under layer may further includea barrier layer having a dual phase structure between the first andsecond metal layers. Through this, a fabrication process of the memoryunit 1010 may become easy and the reliability and yield of the memoryunit 1010 may be improved. As a consequence, operating characteristicsof the microprocessor 1000 may be improved.

The operation unit 1020 may perform four arithmetical operations orlogical operations according to results that the control unit 1030decodes commands. The operation unit 1020 may include at least onearithmetic logic unit (ALU) and so on.

The control unit 1030 may receive signals from the memory unit 1010, theoperation unit 1020 and an external device of the microprocessor 1000,perform extraction, decoding of commands, and controlling input andoutput of signals of the microprocessor 1000, and execute processingrepresented by programs.

The microprocessor 1000 according to the present implementation mayadditionally include a cache memory unit 1040 which can temporarilystore data to be inputted from an external device other than the memoryunit 1010 or to be outputted to an external device. In this case, thecache memory unit 1040 may exchange data with the memory unit 1010, theoperation unit 1020 and the control unit 1030 through a bus interface1050.

FIG. 6 is an example of configuration diagram of a processorimplementing memory circuitry based on the disclosed technology.

Referring to FIG. 6, a processor 1100 may improve performance andrealize multi-functionality by including various functions other thanthose of a microprocessor which performs tasks for controlling andtuning a series of processes of receiving data from various externaldevices, processing the data, and outputting processing results toexternal devices. The processor 1100 may include a core unit 1110 whichserves as the microprocessor, a cache memory unit 1120 which serves tostoring data temporarily, and a bus interface 1130 for transferring databetween internal and external devices. The processor 1100 may includevarious system-on-chips (SoCs) such as a multi-core processor, a graphicprocessing unit (GPU) and an application processor (AP).

The core unit 1110 of the present implementation is a part whichperforms arithmetic logic operations for data inputted from an externaldevice, and may include a memory unit 1111, an operation unit 1112 and acontrol unit 1113.

The memory unit 1111 is a part which stores data in the processor 1100,as a processor register, a register or the like. The memory unit 1111may include a data register, an address register, a floating pointregister and so on. Besides, the memory unit 1111 may include variousregisters. The memory unit 1111 may perform the function of temporarilystoring data for which operations are to be performed by the operationunit 1112, result data of performing the operations and addresses wheredata for performing of the operations are stored. The operation unit1112 is a part which performs operations in the processor 1100. Theoperation unit 1112 may perform four arithmetical operations, logicaloperations, according to results that the control unit 1113 decodescommands, or the like. The operation unit 1112 may include at least onearithmetic logic unit (ALU) and so on. The control unit 1113 may receivesignals from the memory unit 1111, the operation unit 1112 and anexternal device of the processor 1100, perform extraction, decoding ofcommands, controlling input and output of signals of processor 1100, andexecute processing represented by programs.

The cache memory unit 1120 is a part which temporarily stores data tocompensate for a difference in data processing speed between the coreunit 1110 operating at a high speed and an external device operating ata low speed. The cache memory unit 1120 may include a primary storagesection 1121, a secondary storage section 1122 and a tertiary storagesection 1123. In general, the cache memory unit 1120 includes theprimary and secondary storage sections 1121 and 1122, and may includethe tertiary storage section 1123 in the case where high storagecapacity is required. As the occasion demands, the cache memory unit1120 may include an increased number of storage sections. That is tosay, the number of storage sections which are included in the cachememory unit 1120 may be changed according to a design. The speeds atwhich the primary, secondary and tertiary storage sections 1121, 1122and 1123 store and discriminate data may be the same or different. Inthe case where the speeds of the respective storage sections 1121, 1122and 1123 are different, the speed of the primary storage section 1121may be largest. At least one storage section of the primary storagesection 1121, the secondary storage section 1122 and the tertiarystorage section 1123 of the cache memory unit 1120 may include one ormore of the above-described semiconductor devices in accordance with theimplementations. For example, the cache memory unit 1120 may include anunder layer including first and second metal layers; a first magneticlayer positioned over the under layer and having a variablemagnetization direction; a tunnel barrier layer positioned over thefirst magnetic layer; and a second magnetic layer positioned over thetunnel barrier layer and having a pinned magnetization direction, andthe under layer may further include a barrier layer having a dual phasestructure between the first and second metal layers. Through this, afabrication process of the cache memory unit 1120 may become easy andthe reliability and yield of the cache memory unit 1120 may be improved.As a consequence, operating characteristics of the processor 1100 may beimproved.

Although it was shown in FIG. 6 that all the primary, secondary andtertiary storage sections 1121, 1122 and 1123 are configured inside thecache memory unit 1120, it is to be noted that all the primary,secondary and tertiary storage sections 1121, 1122 and 1123 of the cachememory unit 1120 may be configured outside the core unit 1110 and maycompensate for a difference in data processing speed between the coreunit 1110 and the external device. Meanwhile, it is to be noted that theprimary storage section 1121 of the cache memory unit 1120 may bedisposed inside the core unit 1110 and the secondary storage section1122 and the tertiary storage section 1123 may be configured outside thecore unit 1110 to strengthen the function of compensating for adifference in data processing speed. In another implementation, theprimary and secondary storage sections 1121, 1122 may be disposed insidethe core units 1110 and tertiary storage sections 1123 may be disposedoutside core units 1110.

The bus interface 1130 is a part which connects the core unit 1110, thecache memory unit 1120 and external device and allows data to beefficiently transmitted.

The processor 1100 according to the present implementation may include aplurality of core units 1110, and the plurality of core units 1110 mayshare the cache memory unit 1120. The plurality of core units 1110 andthe cache memory unit 1120 may be directly connected or be connectedthrough the bus interface 1130. The plurality of core units 1110 may beconfigured in the same way as the above-described configuration of thecore unit 1110. In the case where the processor 1100 includes theplurality of core unit 1110, the primary storage section 1121 of thecache memory unit 1120 may be configured in each core unit 1110 incorrespondence to the number of the plurality of core units 1110, andthe secondary storage section 1122 and the tertiary storage section 1123may be configured outside the plurality of core units 1110 in such a wayas to be shared through the bus interface 1130. The processing speed ofthe primary storage section 1121 may be larger than the processingspeeds of the secondary and tertiary storage section 1122 and 1123. Inanother implementation, the primary storage section 1121 and thesecondary storage section 1122 may be configured in each core unit 1110in correspondence to the number of the plurality of core units 1110, andthe tertiary storage section 1123 may be configured outside theplurality of core units 1110 in such a way as to be shared through thebus interface 1130.

The processor 1100 according to the present implementation may furtherinclude an embedded memory unit 1140 which stores data, a communicationmodule unit 1150 which can transmit and receive data to and from anexternal device in a wired or wireless manner, a memory control unit1160 which drives an external memory device, and a media processing unit1170 which processes the data processed in the processor 1100 or thedata inputted from an external input device and outputs the processeddata to an external interface device and so on. Besides, the processor1100 may include a plurality of various modules and devices. In thiscase, the plurality of modules which are added may exchange data withthe core units 1110 and the cache memory unit 1120 and with one another,through the bus interface 1130.

The embedded memory unit 1140 may include not only a volatile memory butalso a nonvolatile memory. The volatile memory may include a DRAM(dynamic random access memory), a mobile DRAM, an SRAM (static randomaccess memory), and a memory with similar functions to above mentionedmemories, and so on. The nonvolatile memory may include a ROM (read onlymemory), a NOR flash memory, a NAND flash memory, a phase change randomaccess memory (PRAM), a resistive random access memory (RRAM), a spintransfer torque random access memory (STTRAM), a magnetic random accessmemory (MRAM), a memory with similar functions.

The communication module unit 1150 may include a module capable of beingconnected with a wired network, a module capable of being connected witha wireless network and both of them. The wired network module mayinclude a local area network (LAN), a universal serial bus (USB), anEthernet, power line communication (PLC) such as various devices whichsend and receive data through transmit lines, and so on. The wirelessnetwork module may include Infrared Data Association (IrDA), codedivision multiple access (CDMA), time division multiple access (TDMA),frequency division multiple access (FDMA), a wireless LAN, Zigbee, aubiquitous sensor network (USN), Bluetooth, radio frequencyidentification (RFID), long term evolution (LTE), near fieldcommunication (NFC), a wireless broadband Internet (Wibro), high speeddownlink packet access (HSDPA), wideband CDMA (WCDMA), ultra wideband(UWB) such as various devices which send and receive data withouttransmit lines, and so on.

The memory control unit 1160 is to administrate and process datatransmitted between the processor 1100 and an external storage deviceoperating according to a different communication standard. The memorycontrol unit 1160 may include various memory controllers, for example,devices which may control IDE (Integrated Device Electronics), SATA(Serial Advanced Technology Attachment), SCSI (Small Computer SystemInterface), RAID (Redundant Array of Independent Disks), an SSD (solidstate disk), eSATA (External SATA), PCMCIA (Personal Computer MemoryCard International Association), a USB (universal serial bus), a securedigital (SD) card, a mini secure digital (mSD) card, a micro securedigital (micro SD) card, a secure digital high capacity (SDHC) card, amemory stick card, a smart media (SM) card, a multimedia card (MMC), anembedded MMC (eMMC), a compact flash (CF) card, and so on.

The media processing unit 1170 may process the data processed in theprocessor 1100 or the data inputted in the forms of image, voice andothers from the external input device and output the data to theexternal interface device. The media processing unit 1170 may include agraphic processing unit (GPU), a digital signal processor (DSP), a highdefinition audio device (HD audio), a high definition multimediainterface (HDMI) controller, and so on.

FIG. 7 is an example of configuration diagram of a system implementingmemory circuitry based on the disclosed technology.

Referring to FIG. 7, a system 1200 as an apparatus for processing datamay perform input, processing, output, communication, storage, etc. toconduct a series of manipulations for data. The system 1200 may includea processor 1210, a main memory device 1220, an auxiliary memory device1230, an interface device 1240, and so on. The system 1200 of thepresent implementation may be various electronic systems which operateusing processors, such as a computer, a server, a PDA (personal digitalassistant), a portable computer, a web tablet, a wireless phone, amobile phone, a smart phone, a digital music player, a PMP (portablemultimedia player), a camera, a global positioning system (GPS), a videocamera, a voice recorder, a telematics, an audio visual (AV) system, asmart television, and so on.

The processor 1210 may decode inputted commands and processes operation,comparison, etc. for the data stored in the system 1200, and controlsthese operations. The processor 1210 may include a microprocessor unit(MPU), a central processing unit (CPU), a single/multi-core processor, agraphic processing unit (GPU), an application processor (AP), a digitalsignal processor (DSP), and so on.

The main memory device 1220 is a storage which can temporarily store,call and execute program codes or data from the auxiliary memory device1230 when programs are executed and can conserve memorized contents evenwhen power supply is cut off. The main memory device 1220 may includeone or more of the above-described semiconductor devices in accordancewith the implementations. For example, the main memory device 1220 mayinclude an under layer including first and second metal layers; a firstmagnetic layer positioned over the under layer and having a variablemagnetization direction; a tunnel barrier layer positioned over thefirst magnetic layer; and a second magnetic layer positioned over thetunnel barrier layer and having a pinned magnetization direction, andthe under layer may further include a barrier layer having a dual phasestructure between the first and second metal layers. Through this, afabrication process of the main memory device 1220 may become easy andthe reliability and yield of the main memory device 1220 may beimproved. As a consequence, operating characteristics of the system 1200may be improved.

Also, the main memory device 1220 may further include a static randomaccess memory (SRAM), a dynamic random access memory (DRAM), and so on,of a volatile memory type in which all contents are erased when powersupply is cut off. Unlike this, the main memory device 1220 may notinclude the semiconductor devices according to the implementations, butmay include a static random access memory (SRAM), a dynamic randomaccess memory (DRAM), and so on, of a volatile memory type in which allcontents are erased when power supply is cut off.

The auxiliary memory device 1230 is a memory device for storing programcodes or data. While the speed of the auxiliary memory device 1230 isslower than the main memory device 1220, the auxiliary memory device1230 can store a larger amount of data. The auxiliary memory device 1230may include one or more of the above-described semiconductor devices inaccordance with the implementations. For example, the auxiliary memorydevice 1230 may include an under layer including first and second metallayers; a first magnetic layer positioned over the under layer andhaving a variable magnetization direction; a tunnel barrier layerpositioned over the first magnetic layer; and a second magnetic layerpositioned over the tunnel barrier layer and having a pinnedmagnetization direction, and the under layer may further include abarrier layer having a dual phase structure between the first and secondmetal layers. Through this, a fabrication process of the auxiliarymemory device 1230 may become easy and the reliability and yield of theauxiliary memory device 1230 may be improved. As a consequence,operating characteristics of the system 1200 may be improved.

Also, the auxiliary memory device 1230 may further include a datastorage system (see the reference numeral 1300 of FIG. 8) such as amagnetic tape using magnetism, a magnetic disk, a laser disk usingoptics, a magneto-optical disc using both magnetism and optics, a solidstate disk (SSD), a USB memory (universal serial bus memory), a securedigital (SD) card, a mini secure digital (mSD) card, a micro securedigital (micro SD) card, a secure digital high capacity (SDHC) card, amemory stick card, a smart media (SM) card, a multimedia card (MMC), anembedded MMC (eMMC), a compact flash (CF) card, and so on. Unlike this,the auxiliary memory device 1230 may not include the semiconductordevices according to the implementations, but may include data storagesystems (see the reference numeral 1300 of FIG. 8) such as a magnetictape using magnetism, a magnetic disk, a laser disk using optics, amagneto-optical disc using both magnetism and optics, a solid state disk(SSD), a USB memory (universal serial bus memory), a secure digital (SD)card, a mini secure digital (mSD) card, a micro secure digital (microSD) card, a secure digital high capacity (SDHC) card, a memory stickcard, a smart media (SM) card, a multimedia card (MMC), an embedded MMC(eMMC), a compact flash (CF) card, and so on.

The interface device 1240 may be to perform exchange of commands anddata between the system 1200 of the present implementation and anexternal device. The interface device 1240 may be a keypad, a keyboard,a mouse, a speaker, a mike, a display, various human interface devices(HIDs), a communication device, and so on. The communication device mayinclude a module capable of being connected with a wired network, amodule capable of being connected with a wireless network and both ofthem. The wired network module may include a local area network (LAN), auniversal serial bus (USB), an Ethernet, power line communication (PLC),such as various devices which send and receive data through transmitlines, and so on. The wireless network module may include Infrared DataAssociation (IrDA), code division multiple access (CDMA), time divisionmultiple access (TDMA), frequency division multiple access (FDMA), awireless LAN, Zigbee, a ubiquitous sensor network (USN), Bluetooth,radio frequency identification (RFID), long term evolution (LTE), nearfield communication (NFC), a wireless broadband Internet (Wibro), highspeed downlink packet access (HSDPA), wideband CDMA (WCDMA), ultrawideband (UWB), such as various devices which send and receive datawithout transmit lines, and so on.

FIG. 8 is an example of configuration diagram of a data storage systemimplementing memory circuitry based on the disclosed technology.

Referring to FIG. 8, a data storage system 1300 may include a storagedevice 1310 which has a nonvolatile characteristic as a component forstoring data, a controller 1320 which controls the storage device 1310,an interface 1330 for connection with an external device, and atemporary storage device 1340 for storing data temporarily. The datastorage system 1300 may be a disk type such as a hard disk drive (HDD),a compact disc read only memory (CDROM), a digital versatile disc (DVD),a solid state disk (SSD), and so on, and a card type such as a USBmemory (universal serial bus memory), a secure digital (SD) card, a minisecure digital (mSD) card, a micro secure digital (micro SD) card, asecure digital high capacity (SDHC) card, a memory stick card, a smartmedia (SM) card, a multimedia card (MMC), an embedded MMC (eMMC), acompact flash (CF) card, and so on.

The storage device 1310 may include a nonvolatile memory which storesdata semi-permanently. The nonvolatile memory may include a ROM (readonly memory), a NOR flash memory, a NAND flash memory, a phase changerandom access memory (PRAM), a resistive random access memory (RRAM), amagnetic random access memory (MRAM), and so on.

The controller 1320 may control exchange of data between the storagedevice 1310 and the interface 1330. To this end, the controller 1320 mayinclude a processor 1321 for performing an operation for, processingcommands inputted through the interface 1330 from an outside of the datastorage system 1300 and so on.

The interface 1330 is to perform exchange of commands and data betweenthe data storage system 1300 and the external device. In the case wherethe data storage system 1300 is a card type, the interface 1330 may becompatible with interfaces which are used in devices, such as a USBmemory (universal serial bus memory), a secure digital (SD) card, a minisecure digital (mSD) card, a micro secure digital (micro SD) card, asecure digital high capacity (SDHC) card, a memory stick card, a smartmedia (SM) card, a multimedia card (MMC), an embedded MMC (eMMC), acompact flash (CF) card, and so on, or be compatible with interfaceswhich are used in devices similar to the above mentioned devices. In thecase where the data storage system 1300 is a disk type, the interface1330 may be compatible with interfaces, such as IDE (Integrated DeviceElectronics), SATA (Serial Advanced Technology Attachment), SCSI (SmallComputer System Interface), eSATA (External SATA), PCMCIA (PersonalComputer Memory Card International Association), a USB (universal serialbus), and so on, or be compatible with the interfaces which are similarto the above mentioned interfaces. The interface 1330 may be compatiblewith one or more interfaces having a different type from each other.

The temporary storage device 1340 can store data temporarily forefficiently transferring data between the interface 1330 and the storagedevice 1310 according to diversifications and high performance of aninterface with an external device, a controller and a system. Thetemporary storage device 1340 for temporarily storing data may includeone or more of the above-described semiconductor devices in accordancewith the implementations. The temporary storage device 1340 may includean under layer including first and second metal layers; a first magneticlayer positioned over the under layer and having a variablemagnetization direction; a tunnel barrier layer positioned over thefirst magnetic layer; and a second magnetic layer positioned over thetunnel barrier layer and having a pinned magnetization direction, andthe under layer may further include a barrier layer having a dual phasestructure between the first and second metal layers. Through this, afabrication process of the storage device 1310 or the temporary storagedevice 1340 may become easy and the reliability and yield of the storagedevice 1310 or the temporary storage device 1340 may be improved. As aconsequence, operating characteristics and data storage characteristicsof the data storage system 1300 may be improved.

FIG. 9 is an example of configuration diagram of a memory systemimplementing memory circuitry based on the disclosed technology.

Referring to FIG. 9, a memory system 1400 may include a memory 1410which has a nonvolatile characteristic as a component for storing data,a memory controller 1420 which controls the memory 1410, an interface1430 for connection with an external device, and so on. The memorysystem 1400 may be a card type such as a solid state disk (SSD), a USBmemory (universal serial bus memory), a secure digital (SD) card, a minisecure digital (mSD) card, a micro secure digital (micro SD) card, asecure digital high capacity (SDHC) card, a memory stick card, a smartmedia (SM) card, a multimedia card (MMC), an embedded MMC (eMMC), acompact flash (CF) card, and so on.

The memory 1410 for storing data may include one or more of theabove-described semiconductor devices in accordance with theimplementations. For example, the memory 1410 may include an under layerincluding first and second metal layers; a first magnetic layerpositioned over the under layer and having a variable magnetizationdirection; a tunnel barrier layer positioned over the first magneticlayer; and a second magnetic layer positioned over the tunnel barrierlayer and having a pinned magnetization direction, and the under layermay further include a barrier layer having a dual phase structurebetween the first and second metal layers. Through this, a fabricationprocess of the memory 1410 may become easy and the reliability and yieldof the memory 1410 may be improved. As a consequence, operatingcharacteristics and data storage characteristics of the memory system1400 may be improved.

Also, the memory 1410 according to the present implementation mayfurther include a ROM (read only memory), a NOR flash memory, a NANDflash memory, a phase change random access memory (PRAM), a resistiverandom access memory (RRAM), a magnetic random access memory (MRAM), andso on, which have a nonvolatile characteristic.

The memory controller 1420 may control exchange of data between thememory 1410 and the interface 1430. To this end, the memory controller1420 may include a processor 1421 for performing an operation for andprocessing commands inputted through the interface 1430 from an outsideof the memory system 1400.

The interface 1430 is to perform exchange of commands and data betweenthe memory system 1400 and the external device. The interface 1430 maybe compatible with interfaces which are used in devices, such as a USBmemory (universal serial bus memory), a secure digital (SD) card, a minisecure digital (mSD) card, a micro secure digital (micro SD) card, asecure digital high capacity (SDHC) card, a memory stick card, a smartmedia (SM) card, a multimedia card (MMC), an embedded MMC (eMMC), acompact flash (CF) card, and so on, or be compatible with interfaceswhich are used in devices similar to the above mentioned devices. Theinterface 1430 may be compatible with one or more interfaces having adifferent type from each other.

The memory system 1400 according to the present implementation mayfurther include a buffer memory 1440 for efficiently transferring databetween the interface 1430 and the memory 1410 according todiversification and high performance of an interface with an externaldevice, a memory controller and a memory system. For example, the buffermemory 1440 for temporarily storing data may include one or more of theabove-described semiconductor devices in accordance with theimplementations. The buffer memory 1440 may include an under layerincluding first and second metal layers; a first magnetic layerpositioned over the under layer and having a variable magnetizationdirection; a tunnel barrier layer positioned over the first magneticlayer; and a second magnetic layer positioned over the tunnel barrierlayer and having a pinned magnetization direction, and the under layermay further include a barrier layer having a dual phase structurebetween the first and second metal layers. Through this, a fabricationprocess of the buffer memory 1440 may become easy and the reliabilityand yield of the buffer memory 1440 may be improved. As a consequence,operating characteristics and data storage characteristics of the memorysystem 1400 may be improved.

Moreover, the buffer memory 1440 according to the present implementationmay further include an SRAM (static random access memory), a DRAM(dynamic random access memory), and so on, which have a volatilecharacteristic, and a phase change random access memory (PRAM), aresistive random access memory (RRAM), a spin transfer torque randomaccess memory (STTRAM), a magnetic random access memory (MRAM), and soon, which have a nonvolatile characteristic. Unlike this, the buffermemory 1440 may not include the semiconductor devices according to theimplementations, but may include an SRAM (static random access memory),a DRAM (dynamic random access memory), and so on, which have a volatilecharacteristic, and a phase change random access memory (PRAM), aresistive random access memory (RRAM), a spin transfer torque randomaccess memory (STTRAM), a magnetic random access memory (MRAM), and soon, which have a nonvolatile characteristic.

Features in the above examples of electronic devices or systems in FIGS.8-12 based on the memory devices disclosed in this document may beimplemented in various devices, systems or applications. Some examplesinclude mobile phones or other portable communication devices, tabletcomputers, notebook or laptop computers, game machines, smart TV sets,TV set top boxes, multimedia servers, digital cameras with or withoutwireless communication functions, wrist watches or other wearabledevices with wireless communication capabilities.

While this patent document contains many specifics, these should not beconstrued as limitations on the scope of any invention or of what may beclaimed, but rather as descriptions of features that may be specific toparticular embodiments of particular inventions. Certain features thatare described in this patent document in the context of separateembodiments can also be implemented in combination in a singleembodiment. Conversely, various features that are described in thecontext of a single embodiment can also be implemented in multipleembodiments separately or in any suitable subcombination. Moreover,although features may be described above as acting in certaincombinations and even initially claimed as such, one or more featuresfrom a claimed combination can in some cases be excised from thecombination, and the claimed combination may be directed to asubcombination or variation of a sub combination.

Similarly, while operations are depicted in the drawings in a particularorder, this should not be understood as requiring that such operationsbe performed in the particular order shown or in sequential order, orthat all illustrated operations be performed, to achieve desirableresults. Moreover, the separation of various system components in theembodiments described in this patent document should not be understoodas requiring such separation in all embodiments.

Only a few implementations and examples are described. Otherimplementations, enhancements and variations can be made based on whatis described and illustrated in this patent document.

What is claimed is:
 1. An electronic device comprising a semiconductormemory, wherein the semiconductor memory comprises: an under layercomprising first and second metal layers and a barrier layer having adual phase structure of different crystal structures and interposedbetween the first and second metal layers; a first magnetic layerpositioned over the under layer and having a variable magnetizationdirection; a tunnel barrier layer positioned over the first magneticlayer; and a second magnetic layer positioned over the tunnel barrierlayer and having a pinned magnetization direction.
 2. The electronicdevice of claim 1, wherein the barrier layer includes a first materialhaving an FCC (Face Centered Cubic) structure and a second materialhaving a wurtzite structure.
 3. The electronic device of claim 2,wherein the barrier layer includes an alloy of the first and secondmaterials.
 4. The electronic device of claim 2, wherein the firstmaterial comprises HfN, TiN, MoN, ZrN, or MgO.
 5. The electronic deviceof claim 2, wherein the second material comprises AlN, AgI, ZnO, CdS,CdSe, a-SiC, GaN, or BN.
 6. The electronic device of claim 1, whereinthe first metal layer has an HCP (Hexagonal Closed Packed) structure ora crystal structure of NaCl.
 7. The electronic device of claim 1,wherein the second metal layer comprises a metal nitride layer includinga light metal.
 8. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the firstmetal layer is positioned under the second metal layer.
 9. Theelectronic device of claim 1, wherein the first metal layer includes Hf,Zr, Mg, Ru, or Os.
 10. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein thefirst metal layer includes ZrN, HfN, or TiN.
 11. The electronic deviceof claim 1, wherein the second metal layer comprises Al or Ti.
 12. Theelectronic device according to claim 1, further comprising amicroprocessor which includes: a control unit configured to receive asignal including a command from an outside of the microprocessor, andperforms extracting, decoding of the command, or controlling input oroutput of a signal of the microprocessor; an operation unit configuredto perform an operation based on a result that the control unit decodesthe command; and a memory unit configured to store data for performingthe operation, data corresponding to a result of performing theoperation, or an address of data for which the operation is performed,wherein the semiconductor memory unit that includes the resistancevariable element is part of the memory unit in the microprocessor. 13.The electronic device according to claim 1, further comprising aprocessor which includes: a core unit configured to perform, based on acommand inputted from an outside of the processor, an operationcorresponding to the command, by using data; a cache memory unitconfigured to store data for performing the operation, datacorresponding to a result of performing the operation, or an address ofdata for which the operation is performed; and a bus interface connectedbetween the core unit and the cache memory unit, and configured totransmit data between the core unit and the cache memory unit, whereinthe semiconductor memory unit that includes the resistance variableelement is part of the cache memory unit in the processor.
 14. Theelectronic device according to claim 1, further comprising a processingsystem which includes: a processor configured to decode a commandreceived by the processor and control an operation for information basedon a result of decoding the command; an auxiliary memory deviceconfigured to store a program for decoding the command and theinformation; a main memory device configured to call and store theprogram and the information from the auxiliary memory device such thatthe processor can perform the operation using the program and theinformation when executing the program; and an interface deviceconfigured to perform communication between at least one of theprocessor, the auxiliary memory device and the main memory device andthe outside, wherein the semiconductor memory unit that includes theresistance variable element is part of the auxiliary memory device orthe main memory device in the processing system.
 15. The electronicdevice according to claim 1, further comprising a data storage systemwhich includes: a storage device configured to store data and conservestored data regardless of power supply; a controller configured tocontrol input and output of data to and from the storage deviceaccording to a command inputted form an outside; a temporary storagedevice configured to temporarily store data exchanged between thestorage device and the outside; and an interface configured to performcommunication between at least one of the storage device, the controllerand the temporary storage device and the outside, wherein thesemiconductor memory unit that includes the resistance variable elementis part of the storage device or the temporary storage device in thedata storage system.
 16. The electronic device according to claim 1,further comprising a memory system which includes: a memory configuredto store data and conserve stored data regardless of power supply; amemory controller configured to control input and output of data to andfrom the memory according to a command inputted form an outside; abuffer memory configured to buffer data exchanged between the memory andthe outside; and an interface configured to perform communicationbetween at least one of the memory, the memory controller and the buffermemory and the outside, wherein the semiconductor memory unit thatincludes the resistance variable element is part of the memory or thebuffer memory in the memory system.
 17. The electronic device accordingto claim 1, wherein the semiconductor memory further comprises amagnetism correction layer formed over the second magnetic layer andconfigured to produce a magnetic field at the first magnetic layer toreduce an influence of a magnetic field of the second magnetic layer atthe first magnetic layer.